WATERLOO -- It was like the day after Thanksgiving on Friday.

Bundled up, with adrenaline pumping, a line snaked half a block long outside the store.

Folks waited to spill through the door to Exceptional Bargains.

The retail store, owned by Exceptional Persons Inc., purchases truckloads of merchandise from name-brand stores and offers the items at significantly reduced prices. All proceeds help individuals with disabilities find employment opportunities.

The monthly public sale continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 2026 E. Ridgeway Ave., next to Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Amy Kroblin, 21, of Waterloo, claimed her spot in line about 9:45 a.m. Friday. Up for grabs was an iPod Touch, a portable media player and Wi-Fi mobile platform designed and marketed by Apple Inc.

"This is my first time here," she said. "I didn't know what to expect, if there was going to be a lot of people or not many people or how well it was advertised or how many people really knew about it."

Kroblin found her way to the electronics counter about 10:15 a.m. And the $200 iPod -- at least $30 less than buying it elsewhere -- was still there.

"I took it," Kroblin said. "It's for me for Christmas, so I was excited."

Other featured items included a VTech Dora the Explorer Globe Adventure and kids' picnic table, as well as toys, shoes, housewares, tools, furniture, sporting goods and clothes. Merchandise is the result of overstock, discontinued, salvaged or returned items.

Products, including electronics, have been tested or are labeled with an as-is sticker. With a receipt, items can be returned for in-store credit.

"I come all the time for reading glasses -- cheap reading glasses," said Connie Neuman of Waterloo, heading toward the checkout lane with several pairs. "I would buy more, but there aren't any more back there that are strong enough for me."

At 29 cents a pair, they're even cheaper than a dollar store, Neuman said.

Exceptional Bargains is not only a great deal for customers. It's a training hub for the disabled individuals, who test and assemble products and stock shelves during the month between sales. They also provide customer service for the main event, the third Friday and Saturday of each month.

Nancy Jensen, 39, was set to debut on the cash register Friday.

"I've never done it before, but I'm going to learn," she said, beaming with a smile. "I'm getting ready to look for a job out in the community, and I can't wait."

Jensen, a three-year employee, is among about 30 such paid Exceptional Bargains employees. The store also relies on volunteer help.

"We have some people volunteer here just so they can check out the items before the sale," said EPI program director Bonnie Kipper, laughing. "That's a perk for volunteering."

Jensen said she hopes her diverse experiences in the retail field will land her a job at Hobby Lobby or a doctor's office.

"I'm very good coming to work on time," she said. "I'm very good organizing, and I'm really a hard-working person."

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.